A report to Vancouver City Council today shows a remarkable move to more sustainable transportation in Vancouver, with significant increases in local pedestrian and cycling trips.

The staff report on Active Transportation provides updates on a number of plans being reviewed or implemented to upgrade the scope and safety of Vancouver’s cycling and pedestrian transportation networks.

Here are a few of the highlights from the new data presented on how Vancouver gets around:

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Vancouver City Hall’s strong record on low taxes, debt reduction, and controlled spending undercuts a new report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, which falsely claims that Vancouver is “headed for financial crisis” in today’s Vancouver Sun.

“Our fiscal record over the past five years is one of the best in Canada, and hysterical claims by the CFIB have no basis in reality,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “Just this year alone, the City paid down its debt by $151 million. Our tax increase was just 1.3%, tracking at inflation and among the lowest in the region.”

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This week the City of Vancouver approved its first-ever digital strategy, continuing City Hall’s work to support the local digital economy and improve service delivery for citizens. Here’s some of the reaction from the press and on social media: 

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The Mayor and City Council will vote next week on the first-ever digital strategy for the City of Vancouver, continuing City Hall’s work to support the local digital economy and improve service delivery for citizens.

The strategy focuses on improving the way the City provides services online for citizens and small businesses, supporting our dynamic local digital media industry, and putting Vancouver at the forefront of support for digital innovation.

“Making Vancouver a leader in digital innovation has been a key priority of my work as Mayor,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “The City’s first-ever digital strategy represents another significant step forward in our efforts to improve how City Hall does business and engages with citizens, how we support leading-edge job creation in our local technology and creative sectors, and how we foster digital innovation to make life better for all Vancouver residents.”

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The City of Vancouver is very excited to be named host city for the final soccer game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 and eight other games leading up to the final.

The news was announced this morning at simultaneous press events in Switzerland, Edmonton and here in Vancouver.

“The FIFA Women’s World Cup final is the pinnacle of women’s international soccer and the single largest women’s sporting event in the world,” Mayor Gregor Robertson said. “Millions of fans around the world will be focused on Vancouver for the final match and we look forward to welcoming international fans to the city and hosting a truly memorable celebration.

“We will be cheering for Team Canada from the opening match and hope the team will be part of an exciting final. The team’s exceptional play and bronze medal finish at the London Olympics was a huge inspiration for Canadians and especially young players.”

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Vancouver named city, global and people’s choice champion –

The City of Vancouver was today named Global Earth Hour Capital 2013 by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) at an awards ceremony in Malmo, Sweden, one of three prestigious awards given to the city.

The Global Earth Hour Capital award recognizes a city taking serious action to address climate change. As the Canadian winner of a WWF Green City Challenge Award, Vancouver was in contention for the Global Award with finalists from India, Italy, the United States, Sweden and Norway.

Voters from around the world also selected Vancouver as the People’s Choice winner out of the 17 cities who were national WWF Green City Challenge finalists.

“Being named the WWF’s Global Earth Hour Capital is an exceptional honour for Vancouver and more international validation of our comprehensive efforts to be the world’s greenest city,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson.

“Even as national governments fail to act, it’s essential that cities continue to lead the way in confronting climate change, and Vancouver’s progress demonstrates that building a greener city also fosters a stronger local economy.”

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